ความท้าทายในการประสานงานระหว่างราชการส่วนกลาง ราชการส่วนภูมิภาค และราชการส่วนท้องถิ่น ในสถานการณ์การแพร่ระบาดของโรคติดเชื้อไวรัสโคโรนา 2019 ในพื้นที่จังหวัดปัตตานี

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to examine the coordination among central, provincial, and local administrations in response to the COVID-19 crisis in Pattani Province, to investigate the problems or challenges encountered as these administrative organizations attempted to coordinate with one another, and to provide recommendations on how to improve crisis coordination in the future based on the research findings. This study included 21 public officials who were directly involved in the COVID-19 crisis response in Pattani Province. In-depth interviews were used to collect data, which were then analyzed using a content analysis technique. The findings revealed four dimensions of coordination in response to the COVID-19 crisis in Pattani Province: 1) coordination between the central and provincial administrations; 2) coordination between the provincial and provincial administrations; 3) coordination between the provincial and local administrations; and 4) coordination between the central and local administrations. In terms of coordinating mechanisms, patterns, and components, each dimension of coordination is similar. Nevertheless, there may be some variations depending on the settings and circumstances. In terms of problems or difficulties. Seven issues were found to have hindered a coordinated response to the COVID-19 crisis in this province. Among them are: 1) Rules or laws that create certain authorities and structures that are incompatible with coordination; 2) Some officials' poor work habits and competencies; 3) Inadequate funding; 4) High-level officials' direction that is out of step with local conditions; 5) people' insufficient collaboration; 6) the officials' use of irrelevant technologies in coordination; and 7) the urgency of the crisis. Based on the findings, six recommendations for improving crisis coordination are provided: 1) learning more about all related laws and regulations; 2) coordination should be more clarified, coherent, and flexible based on specific contexts and situations; 3) an adequate budget should be provided to support the mission; 4) adequate and consistent direction, monitoring, and advice from high-level officials should be provided to frontline officials; 5) awareness about the situation should be promoted in all sectors; and 6) technologies and innovations should be more utilized to enhance coordination.